New constitution should provide for coalition govt – HH

United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has suggested that the country considers having the 50% plus 1 clause in the new constitution that will not demand for an election re-run.

Mr. Hichilema has said instead the 50% plus 1 clause should only have a provision that will provide for the establishment of a coalition government in an event that no party manages to secure the majority votes.

The opposition leader adds that the coalition government in this particular case would have to be formed by the top two leading parties in an election.

Mr. Hichilema notes that having such a provision in the constitution will help avoid costs that would arise from an election re-run.

Mr. Hichilema says Zambia should learn from countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia which he says have adopted a similar system.

He has since called for a speedy, cost effective and all-inclusive constitution making process.